Match Winner Callum Camps On Southend Victory

Callum Camps says the squad came together in Dale’s 2-1 win at Southend United.

Dale were pegged back after Jordan Williams’ first-half opener, but Camps’ winner three minutes from time sealed a first victory at Roots Hall in over 33 years.

“We said before the game that we need to start picking it up,” said Camps.

“The Gaffer was talking about sleep-walking and just trying to get through games, and he said we need to come together and start picking up points now because we don’t want to be where we were last season, so everyone is happy with the win.

“Jordan [Williams], Gilly [Matty Gillam] and Hendo [Ian Henderson] up top are always going to run in behind, and we said to Jordan to play on the side of the defenders and we’ll put the ball over the top for him to run through anyone, and then he’s got a good goal.

“In most games where we’ve taken the lead, in the second-half we’ve sat off, without meaning to, and let the opposition put pressure on us. I don’t know how many corners we defended, but it was my man I let go for the goal, so I was happy to repay that in the end.

“I heard Beechy [Chris Beech] say that the last time we won here Gilly wasn’t even born – it was quite a few of us who weren’t!”

Camps admits the emotion of scoring the winner almost got the better of him!

“I was about to run straight into the crowd and celebrate with them, but I was on a yellow card so I diverted away!

“I don’t think I’ve scored a header, not even in the Youth Team. I think it was playing my first game for Rochdale Under-10s or 11s, I scored one against Preston North End and I think that was the last one!”